Aspiring CAs complain of missing out on November 2024 final exam due to changes in registration process
Additionally, students also blame confusion over the newly introduced Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOM), in May 2024.
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Candidates have to take mandatory 40-hour online classes for the two papers under the SPOM and have to clear the papers through offline exams before the CA final examination. (File Photo)As the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) brought changes to the pattern of examination and registration process, many students have complained of missing out on applying for the November 2024 attempt of CA final examination.
The registration window for CA final exam scheduled to be held in November 2024 was from August 7 to 23. Students complain that this is at least 10 days lesser than the regular registration window. Now the next attempt will be in May 2025.
Even as the changes in registration window were uploaded by ICAI on its official website, one of the students, Muskan Goel, said, “The ICAI should have created more awareness about the changes that reduced the number of days for registration for CA final exam as students are busy with articleship.”
Additionally, students also blame confusion over the newly introduced Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOM), in May 2024. Two out of the total eight papers of CA final are now covered under this module. Candidates have to take mandatory 40-hour online classes for those two papers under SPOM and have to clear those papers through offline exams before the CA final exam.
Many students were waiting to clear SPOM and did not register for the CA final exam to be held in November 2024. But a new notification was issued by the ICAI, on August 22, declaring that candidates have until October to complete SPOM for November 2024 attempt of CA final exam. One of the candidates, Rashi Rajput, said, “Many of us rushed to register but there were technical glitches and only one day left.”
Aakash Vedak, student activist and a lawyer, said, “ICAI should take a liberal view and open a window at least for 2/3 days as this is affecting the career of thousands of students all over the country. Students prepare for many years for competitive exams like CA. More waiting will affect their studies and future career planning.” He also said that students are also approaching ICAI, urging them to open the registration window.
But the ICAI is firm on its decision. In a written response, the ICAI stated that the changes were informed well in advance through its official website and sufficient timeline was given to the candidates. It added that more than 99,200 candidates have applied for the November 2024 CA final exam.
Responding to reasons behind the changes in registration window, it said, “In order to align with the best global practices and to allow students more opportunities to sit in the exam, ICAI decided this year that Intermediate & Foundation course examinations will be held thrice a year.”
As a result, the registration window was brought down to 16 days for CA Intermediate and Foundation exams. While CA Final exam continues to follow the biannual format, “to keep parity, the same (registration) timeline was extended to CA Final November 2024 Exams,” said the response.
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